Ali Akbar Rosady
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to inaugurate a new era in its media distribution with UFC 324, the first event under its landmark partnership with Paramount+. Scheduled for January 24 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the card will be headlined by an interim lightweight title bout between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. This event marks the debut of all UFC numbered events being streamed exclusively on Paramount+, signaling a significant shift from the traditional pay-per-view model.
UFC CEO Dana White officially unveiled the full fight card for what he described as the "first numbered event of 2026" during the halftime show of the Chiefs vs. Cowboys NFL game on Thanksgiving. The announcement underscored the importance of this new media rights agreement, which White described as a "huge win for fans with no more pay-per-view," expressing anticipation for 2026 to be the promotion’s "best year ever."
The main event features two of the lightweight division’s most compelling figures. Justin Gaethje, known for his aggressive, fan-friendly fighting style, enters the contest as a former interim lightweight champion. His career is marked by an exceptional record of 14 post-fight bonuses in as many UFC appearances, a testament to his consistent delivery of exciting performances. Gaethje’s penchant for high-stakes, violent encounters has solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s most thrilling athletes. A victory for Gaethje would position him for a lightweight title unification bout against the reigning undisputed champion, Ilia Topuria, later in the year.
Across the octagon, Paddy Pimblett presents a formidable challenge. The charismatic Liverpudlian boasts an undefeated 7-0 record within the UFC, having earned five performance bonuses for his finishes and captivating in-cage displays. Pimblett’s rapid ascent in the lightweight division has been fueled by both his submission and striking prowess, as well as his engaging personality on the microphone. This interim title opportunity represents the most significant challenge of his career to date and could elevate him to the upper echelons of the 155-pound division, with a potential clash against Topuria also awaiting the victor.
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The co-main event is set to be a historic women’s bantamweight championship defense, featuring the highly anticipated return of Amanda Nunes, widely regarded as the greatest female athlete in UFC history. Nunes, a UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion, will emerge from a two-and-a-half-year retirement for her first fight since 2023. Her decorated career includes victories over an illustrious list of opponents, such as Ronda Rousey, Cris Cyborg, and Valentina Shevchenko. Nunes will challenge current women’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo. Harrison, who joined the UFC last year, holds an unblemished 3-0 record within the promotion, building on her dominant tenure in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Dana White characterized this matchup as "definitely the biggest women’s fight ever," highlighting its significance for the sport.
Beyond the headlining attractions, UFC 324 presents a robust main card designed to engage audiences during the Paramount+ debut. Former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is scheduled to begin his journey back to title contention against perennial contender Song Yadong. O’Malley, known for his flashy striking and dynamic finishes, will seek to re-establish his dominance in the competitive bantamweight division against Yadong, who has consistently ranked among the division’s elite.
In the heavyweight division, surging contender Waldo Cortes-Acosta will face veteran fan-favorite Derrick Lewis. Cortes-Acosta’s activity has been notable, as he will be fighting for the sixth time in 10 months. His previous two bouts in November were against lower-ranked opponents, making this matchup against Lewis, a former title challenger known for his devastating knockout power, a significant step up in competition and a test of his rapid ascent.
Rounding out the main card, featherweight contender Arnold Allen will make his return to the octagon after an 18-month layoff, facing knockout artist Jean Silva. Allen, a technically proficient striker and grappler, will aim to shake off ring rust and reassert his presence in the 145-pound division against Silva, who is known for his aggressive approach and finishing abilities.
The preliminary card for UFC 324 also features several high-profile matchups. The featured prelim will pit former UFC women’s flyweight champion Alexa Grasso against former women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. This contest holds significant implications for the flyweight division, with both fighters possessing elite striking and grappling credentials. A high-level bantamweight bout is also scheduled between the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov and former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo. Nurmagomedov, a grappling specialist, will test his perfect professional record against the seasoned and powerful Figueiredo, who has successfully transitioned to the bantamweight division. Lastly, middleweights Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev are set to clash.
Event logistics confirm that the UFC 324 main card will commence at a new time of 9 p.m. ET. The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, with the early prelims starting at 5 p.m. ET. The entire event will be available for streaming at no additional cost with a Paramount+ subscription, marking a pivotal moment in the UFC’s distribution strategy.
In addition to the UFC 324 announcements, Dana White also revealed details for UFC 325, scheduled for January 31 in Sydney, Australia. The event will feature a featherweight title defense by Alex Volkanovski against Diego Lopes. Volkanovski had previously defeated Lopes by unanimous decision to claim the vacant featherweight title in April of last year, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.
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